{"id":10476,"date":"2023-09-19T07:34:05","date_gmt":"2023-09-19T11:34:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/news\/?page_id=10476"},"modified":"2023-09-19T07:34:05","modified_gmt":"2023-09-19T11:34:05","slug":"mosquito-sample-tests-positive-for-west-nile-virus-in-norfolk","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/news\/public-relations-contacts\/archived-news-releases\/2023-regional-news-releases\/mosquito-sample-tests-positive-for-west-nile-virus-in-norfolk\/","title":{"rendered":"Mosquito Sample Tests Positive for West Nile Virus in Norfolk"},"content":{"rendered":"

September 18, 2023\u00a0\u00a0
\n<\/strong><\/p>\n

Media Contact:<\/strong> Norman Grefe
\nNorfolk Health Department, Environmental Health Manager
\nNorman.Grefe@vdh.virginia.gov<\/a>
\n757-683-2824<\/p>\n

Mosquito Sample Test Positive for West Nile Virus in Norfolk<\/strong><\/p>\n

NORFOLK, Va. \u2013\u00a0 The Norfolk Department of Public Health has detected the first West Nile Virus (WNV) activity of the season in the city of Norfolk. One mosquito sample has tested positive for West Nile virus. The sample was collected in the Edgewater\/Larchmont neighborhood on September 14, 2023. The Division of Vector Control is conducting mosquito control operations in this neighborhood, including treatments of storm drains and standing water, conducting fogging operations, and continuing surveillance activities.<\/p>\n

West Nile Virus is spread to people by the bite of an infected mosquito. Mosquitoes become infected when they feed on infected birds, and then spread WNV to people and animals by biting them.\u00a0 Most people infected by WNV do not have any symptoms. When WNV develops into illness, symptoms can include a mild fever, headache, body aches, vomiting, or diarrhea. Serious illness is rare, but more severe symptoms can occur including high fever, severe headache, nausea and vomiting, stiff neck, muscle weakness, confusion, disorientation, paralysis, seizures, or coma. Death occurs in about 10% of persons with serious illness.<\/p>\n

Residents are advised to take these preventive steps to help protect themselves and their families from mosquito-borne illnesses:<\/p>\n